Little things loom large as Rockets seek to regain focus in time to face Timberwolves

While the Timberwolves had to grind out every possible win to get to the postseason and a first-round match up against the Rockets, the Rockets had cruised through April. They said they will be able to recapture the intensity and focus needed for the postseason, but that can be especially important against the Timberwolves who were among the league leaders in points off turnovers.

"That's probably one of our successes (against the Timberwolves)," Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We averaged nine turnovers a game against them and they usually create 15. That's a big difference. That will lead to 10 to 12 points. That's probably the difference in the game. We have to take care of the ball. We were efficient. But we have to be aware we can't be careless, lose the ball. We got to keep our spacing and get guys opportunities to make plays without being in a crowd."

The Timberwolves averaged 7.5 points off turnovers against the Rockets, more than 10 fewer than they averaged overall this season.

Little things loom large as Rockets seek to regain focus in time to face Timberwolves

1 / 104

Back to Gallery

In the Rockets' past six games, however, they gave up 17.3 points per game off turnovers, often with the carelessness that came with a loss of intensity in games meaningless in the standings.

"I don't think it's difficult at all (to re-focus)," Rockets forward Trevor Ariza said. "We are a veteran team. This is what all year we've been preparing for, to be in this situation. We need to take advantage of it, not take anything for granted and play every play like it matters.

"Our thing is about possession and keeping the ball, not playing into their strengths and letting them turn us over, not letting them get second-chance points. Those little attention-to-details things ... we have been focusing on. Hopefully, we cut those things out they do well."

The Rockets swept the season series against the Timberwolves, winning three games by 18 points and the final meeting by nine after the Wolves rallied from a 25-point deficit. But the Rockets said the Wolves have their respect enough for the Rockets to regain the focus they had before they clinched the NBA's best record.

"Every playoff team has the urgency you want to steal Game 1, get Game 1," guard James Harden said. "We're definitely not overlooking them. We know how much talent they have on that roster, well coached. We know what we're facing, what we're up against."